Afghan women who lost years of education during Taliban regime gets second chance in the U.S.

Eight young Afghan women has been given the opportunity to study in US colleges, thanks to the grass-root based Afghan Girls Financial Assistance Fund in New Jersey.

The fund seeks to jump-start the education of Afghan women whose studies stalled under the Taliban regime, which banned girls from attending school.

The goal is for the women to obtain a college education to prepare them to return home and assist in the rebuilding of Afghanistan, according to Leo Motiuk, one of the founders.

The fund pays for educational fees, living expenses and tickets for flights enabling the women to spend their summers in Afghanistan.

The initiative was set up in 2007 when Shamila Kohestani was given a full scholarship to Blair Academy in Blairstown, New Jersey. Kohestani lost five years of formal education during the Taliban regime.

She received international attention during her time as captain of Afghanistan’s first national soccer team. Despite frequent death threats, she encouraged other Afghan women to join the team.

Her bravery won her the Arthur Ashe Courage Award in 2006.

“It is only through education that my country can move forward,” Kohestani says. “You can pursue any of your dreams through education.”

The fund has raised $250,000 in donations and $1 million of in-kind scholarships over the past two years.

Read more on USAToday.